New Portsmouth traffic centre could help deal with road incidents and major events

SHOPPERS saw one of the city’s new park-and-ride buses days before its official launch this weekend.

The double-decker was parked in Commercial Road’s shopping precinct to promote the upcoming service and staff were there to answer questions from the public.

Pam Turton, Portsmouth City Council’s assistant head of transport and environment, said: ‘It’s fantastic to give everyone a preview of the buses and further spread the word about the service.’

Future park-and-ride customers came along to see the new bus and were excited about the preview.

Bus enthusiast Trevor Garner, 50, from Portsmouth said: ‘I’m going to be one of the first passengers and I am really excited.

‘I think the park and ride will be beneficial to Portsmouth and I really hope it takes off.’

The council says the park and ride will provide transport to cater to the increasing number of visitors generated by a redeveloped city centre and seafront.

There will be more than 650 parking spaces available with the terminal building offering real-time bus departure information, visitor information and toilets with baby changing facilities.

The council adds that new bus lanes into the city centre means that customers can be assured the buses will beat any traffic queues.

The service will launch this Saturday and the city centre will be one of the main areas served, with buses every 12 minutes.

The introductory price is £2 per day, and there are discounted prices on weekly, monthly and annual passes which will last up until June 29.

The park-and-ride project will link in with future improvements to the city centre road network and Councillor Jason Fazackarley said: ‘I hope it will be a success as the ultimate aim is to lessen the amount of traffic coming into the city.

The bus will be making a further two appearances at the Guildhall on Wednesday, and Commercial Road again on Friday before the launch on Saturday.

The public are encouraged to go along as there is an opportunity to win a free annual park-and-ride pass.

For more information on the service visit: parkandride.portsmouth.gov.uk